Dear Uncle Remus!

Thank you so much for the book, it's very interesting! Why didn't you write to me before? May we meet? Could I write to you?

Adara

Adara!

Forgive me, but I was sure you didn't remember me, and your grandmother might have taken my letters unwell. How are you doing? You can write to me about anything and anytime, I will always be glad to hear from you.

R. L.

The letter was full of mistrust mixed with hope. He was surprised that I remembered him, and at the same time seemed happy that he didn't have to explain anything to me.

I spent the next few letters testing the waters, trying to get a sense of who he was, but without face-to-face contact it's very hard. In the fanfics, Remus comes across as both a loyal and trustworthy friend to Harry or a loyal doggie to Dumbledore. Who was Remus here?

The Weasley twins were beginning to be annoying. They resented the fact that I could tell them apart. They appeared in front of me at the most unexpected moments and demanded that I guess which one was which. The last time they swapped sweaters, and wands, and bags. They ambushed me when Hermione and I were on our way back from Charms class.

- Which one of us is which? - they asked together.

I glanced at them with my usual perspicacity.

- Why didn't you swap heads? - I sighed. - Fred on the right and George on the left.

- How? - they shouted together again, - How can you tell us apart?

- Great dark magic, - I said. Hermione chuckled.

- We'll figure out how you do it, - Fred warned me.

- We just need to be better prepared, - George agreed.

- You say that every time, - I rolled my eyes.

Hermione laughed out loud as the twins fled.

- It's not funny, - I grumbled, - I'm sick of them.

- You're not staying for Christmas, are you? - Potter asked me two weeks before Christmas.

- No, - I shook my head, - I'm going home.

Potter sighed sadly. I understood him, of course, but my selfish nature was much stronger. The less time I had left before the holidays, the more I wanted to go home. I missed my grandmother, my great-grandfathers, the Malfoys, but I especially missed Regulus. I wanted so much to tell him, to ask him questions, to get his opinion. I even missed Kreacher!

Potter was especially sad the day we left.

- I'd invite you in, but nobody will let you, - I said when we met in the Great Hall to say goodbye.

- They didn't let him go even to us, - Neville said, - and the Longbottoms are a trustworthy family, there's no chance they'd let you go to Blacks.

- I know, - Potter barked, - that bloody McGonagall was lecturing me the whole evening!

I threw a surprised look at Neville, and he nodded.

- It's unfortunate, - I concluded.

- Yeah, - Potter looked away.

I sighed.

- Turn around, please, - I told him, - I came to say goodbye before the holidays, not to watch your back.

Potter reluctantly turned around.

- Merry Christmas, - I smiled at him, - and you can always send me a letter.

- Merry Christmas, - he nodded, - Then don't be surprised if Hedwig flies to you every day.

- Sparkle can take over for her, - I shrugged, - so don't worry.

The house was exactly the same as it had been when I'd left. Grandma hadn't moved a chair. It was strange. Somehow I expected something to change.

- Welcome home, - Grandmother said in a dignified voice, putting aside a book and getting up from the couch.

- Grandma! - I cried out and rushed over to her.

- What plebeian manners! - she grumbled, but held me tight to her.

- I missed you!

- It was quiet at home without you, - Walburga let me go, - Kreacher cooked your favorite food.

I laughed.

- I missed him, too! There's so much I want to tell you!..

- ...And then Morris stumbled and fell, - I began to tell stories of my school life after a hearty lunch, - and he didn't get up! So he lay there in the aisle, staring at the ceiling in a phlegmatic manner. At that moment Burke came into the living room, raised his eyebrows, moved Morris closer to the wall with his wand, and said, "Lie there, don't block the aisle."

Grandma laughed.

- Children, - she stretched out with a smile, - you are such kids.

- Is that bad? - I asked.

- It's wonderful, - she said.

- By the way, grandma, - I suddenly remembered one of my biggest problems, - can I change my jewelry set?

- What's wrong with it? I wore it myself, and it's an amazing set.

I pulled back the collar of my shirt, showing the burn just below my collarbones.

- What is it? - my grandmother was horrified.

- The pendant, - I said.

Walburga blinked in shock, but after a few seconds she pulled herself together and asked:

- Who?

- Snape, - I immediately ratted out my teacher, - Is it supposed to get so hot?

- Mordred, of course not! - Grandmother rose sharply from her chair, - It always got a little warm, so I knew I didn't be liked by somebody and needed to be more careful with him. But this is unthinkable! It is a burning hatred! To a child!

- Snape certainly doesn't like children, - I agreed, - but Potter and I are on his special radar.

- Take off, - she ordered. - I will find something for you.

- Right now? - I was confused.

- After the holidays, - she sighed, - you have nothing to worry about at home, but we'll think of something to go out in public.

I stood in the attic and tried it on. The hippogriff was comfortably housed here in the canon, so what was to stop me from housing the bike here? I couldn't ride him yet. Would I ever be able to? It's a big one, wasn't it?

- What are you doing? - Narcissa, who had been a guest here that day and had come up to the attic with me, looked at me curiously. She looked kind of pensive.

- Hagrid has my dad's motorcycle at Hogwarts, - I explained, - I want to get it and put it here.

- A motorcycle? - Narcissa frowned, but knew what I meant. - That creepy iron thing he rode?

- Yeah, - I nodded.

- You're right, - my aunt said suddenly, - we shouldn't leave Black's things with people who have nothing to do with the family.

- Especially dad's ones. - I nodded. - What's going on?

- Did you get an invitation from grandpa Arcturus? - Narcissa asked.

- Yes, - I said, - an official one, but I didn't understand why. Couldn't we have just dropped by?

- Because there will be a reception, - Malfoy sighed, - an official one.

- In Lordship? - I wondered. - Official? At least two hundred guests, with press and everything?

- Yes, - Narcissa nodded.

- Just what I needed, - I sighed, - Auntie, what's grandpa up to?

- I suppose grandfather Pollux knows, and also father, - Narcissa walked to the window, - I was hoping you could tell me.

- Me? - I snorted, - Thank you for believing in me, but I can only guess.

- And what are your guesses? - Narcissa smiled.

I wondered.

- Great-grandfather will officially represent the Heir of the House, - I shrugged, - I can't think of anything else.

- Do you think grandfather would make such a big deal out of an ordinary presentation of the Heir? - my aunt looked at me skeptically.

- Ordinary? - I said doubtfully, - my great-grandfather became the Head of the House in 1921 and for seventy years he did not represent the Heir. Grandfather, father, and uncle Regulus were never formally introduced, were they?

- You're right, - Narcissa nodded, - many Houses have had three or four Heads in seventy years, but ours has been constant.

- Permanently, - I chuckled.

- Then you should look impeccable, - my aunt made an unexpected conclusion.

- What's that got to do with me? - I was indignant.

- I'm pretty sure you'll be crowned Heiress of the House, - the pleased Malfoy shrugged. - Come downstairs, we should get ready.

My protests about the invalidity of her theory and the fact that there were still three days to go were bouncing off my aunt.

The key Grandmother had given me turned out to be the key to the very Vault that was full of jewels. My grandmother's faith in my prudence knew no bounds. The treasures of the British Crown were nothing compared to these. Four huge halls and a cataloged system. My great-grandmother Melania taught me how to use the catalog and even explained to me how to add new jewels to the catalog. She also helped me choose an outfit for the reception.

- Let it match your eyes, - she said, choosing something from the catalog.

Silver-colored pearl jewelry appeared on a black velvet cushion.

A necklace of pearls

Artifact. Rank - rare

Protection against mind reading

Earrings from pearls

Artifact. Rank - Rare

Mental Protection

Bracelet of pearls

Artifact. Rank - Rare

Detects additives in food and drink

Okay. Very interesting.

- Grandmother, - I turned to Melania, - are these earrings enchanted?

- Oh, yes, - she nodded. - The whole set is enchanted. Pearls are a natural material, and they're easier and stronger to enchant.

What did she mean by mental protection? Was it possible that Imperio can't affect me due to the earrings? That would be cool.

- Now, let's get dressed! - Melania ordered. - Only three hours to the reception.

- Yes, grandmother! - I nodded.

The Vault was very cool, but it had one disadvantage, and a significant one. It was in Lordship Black, not in our house. And here I couldn't be left unsupervised as I was at home.

Aunt Narcissa was right. Great-grandfather Arcturus kept me close to him throughout the evening, letting me go only to dance a few times. Once with Draco, once with Ernie Macmillan, once with Marcus Flint.

Finally, the great-grandfather made up his mind.

- Could I have your attention, ladies and gentlemen, please? - everyone stopped talking and stared at him. Rita Skeeter, whom I recognized by her blond hair and long, toxic green feather in her hand, pulled out a parchment. - I have to confess that I invited you all here today on purpose. I was the Head of the Black House for seventy years. Let me tell you, it hasn't been easy. For years I have waited to see who would take over my position next. And finally, my wait is over. I would like to introduce you to my great-granddaughter. Adara Walburga Black, Heiress of the House Black.

Quest complete

The Black Legacy

Aristocrats aren't made, they are born. It is time to become a worthy representative of your Family

+500 experience

Attention!

Your status is changed from Daughter of a Murderer to Heiress of House.

Status - Daughter of a Murderer - deleted

Status - Heiress of House - added

Penalty of previous status is saved

Reputation: - 752

Extra quest started

A new broom sweeps in a new way

Examine your House's social and financial standing in society. Raise your House's status in the community. Increase your family's monthly income by 20,000 galleons

Bonus for completing: Improved family relationships. Gain access to Ancestral Artifacts

Penalty for failure: Worsening family relationships. Status change to Traitor of the Blood

Additional quest started

As Lord's Prayer

You have access to the House Codex. Do not shame the honor of your House and be guided by it when making decisions

Bonus for completing: improved family relationship

Penalty for failure: worsening family relationships

When there are hundreds of eyes on you, it's very hard to do even the things you would normally do without thinking, especially when there are windows flickering in front of your face. It's easy to stutter, stammer, or just fall into a stupor. Thank Merlin, none of that happened today. I just stepped forward and bowed slightly. From this second on, they would start calling me Lady or Heiress. I was blinded for a moment by the flash of the sorcery camera. And then people started coming up to congratulate me. My mouth was starting to hurt from the constant smiling and the endless thanks.

Rita Skeeter, who was trying to get through to me, was taken over by great-grandpa Pollux.

- Congratulations, Miss Black, - Albus Dumbledore appeared right in front of me, - this is a great honor and a great responsibility.

- Headmaster! - I exclaimed with the happiest of looks, - Thank you so much! I know it will be difficult, but I will do my best!

How long had I been practicing that stupidly enthusiastic expression in front of the mirror? Draco, to whom I demonstrated it, said that if I looked at him like that, he'd consider me a groupie. Hopefully it would work with Dumbledore, too. At least for a while.

- I don't doubt it, my girl, - he patted my hand good-naturally and left. The guests, who had not yet congratulated me, finished and scattered to their corners. Men to discuss business, women to gossip.

- Leading the family that killed your mother was the best thing you could have done, - the older man hissed as he approached me. I tensed. I recognized him, it was the nasty old man from the Board of Governors who had questioned me.

- No insults, father! - barked Irwin Foley, walking over me.

What? What?! So this was Hector Foley? According to Morris and Ida, a gloomy, acrimonious, almost out of his mind old man who hardly speaks to anyone? My great-grandfather on Foley's side?

Great-grandpa Arcturus, as if sensing my confusion, put his hand on my shoulder.

- Congratulations, - Irwin said.

- Thank you, - I nodded. He wouldn't be able to do anything now. The Wizengamot would never go so far as to remove the Heiress of the House from the family.

- It's not worth the trouble, - Hector said sarcastically, - she's as rotten as the rest of the Blacks, and there's not a drop of Fowley blood in her.

- At least I'm in my right mind, unlike you, great uncle Hector, - I answered instantly.

- Adara, - Arcturus squeezed my shoulder.

That's when I felt the familiar pressure on my mind. The occlusive shield had been activated before the reception began, but someone wanted... I turned sharply toward Hector Foley:

- Are you... Are you...

- At least you learned how to shut your mind, - he spat out.

- You used legilimency on Ada? - Irwin was indignant. Arcturus was even more indignant. I looked for Rita Skeeter with my eyes, and she was still getting the earful from great-grandpa Pollux. That's good, I wouldn't want this whole situation to be in tomorrow's papers.

- I wanted to check what was in the great-granddaughter's brain, - the old man brushed them off, - and there was only a portrait of a boy and a dog. Not an ounce of clever thought.

- You had no right to do that, - great-grandfather Arcturus almost drew his wand.

- I certainly don't have now, - Hector gave us a scornful look, turned, and walked briskly at an old man's pace to the men who had gathered in the corner.

- Ada, - Irwin said to me, - I'm sorry, I had no idea my father could do something like that.

I nodded. Actually, I was relieved in a way. It wasn't Dumbledore or Snape that was going through my head. Hector Foley may be the problem, and he may well have managed to see a lot more in my mind than the portrait of Regulus and the Cerberus image, but that had no bearing on my survival in this world just.

We discussed the results of the reception in my great-grandfather's office.

- It was great, - said great-grandma Irma, - and everyone will be talking about it for at least another month.

- As well as about Adara, - added great-grandmother Melania, - the star!

- Whatever you call it, - I muttered to myself.

- That's good, - nodded Arcturus, - Pollux?

- This Skeeter is not difficult to arrange, - he shrugged, - she was invited to the reception of the year, fed delicacies, drunk the best wine, given to look at the Heiress, enclosed a bag with a tidy sum. She'll write the perfect article. You better tell me, what about the Foley's?

- What about them? - grandma Walburga tensed and stared at Arcturus.

- Hector said unpleasant things and tried to legiliment Adara, - said Arcturus, - and it does not seem to be the first time. Adara?

- When the Board of Governors came to the school about the Cerberus, - I answered reluctantly, - I sensed that someone was trying to push.

- Why didn't you tell me? - Pollux flinched.

- When? - I was furious, - you sent us off to our living rooms. When was I supposed to tell you?

- You could have written, - he said with a chuckle.

I shrugged.

- Don't hide things like that, - Arcturus said, - you could get hurt, and we can't help you.

- Okay, - I agreed.

- He's just a mean old man, - grandfather Cygnus, who was sitting next to me, said, - don't take what he said to heart. He's not even well-liked in his own family.

- Why would he want to legiliment Adara? - great-grandmother Irma asked perplexedly.

- He must have been looking for something to take Adara away from us, - Arcturus said, - but unlike Irwin, Hector is no stranger to dirty tricks.

Everyone fell silent.

- Oh! - suddenly great-grandmother Melania exclaimed, - We haven't given Adara the presents we had for her birthday!

I blinked. It was unexpected. I'd forgotten I'd been promised gifts at home. Arcturus pulled a small box out of the desk drawer.

- It's been a long time, - he said, and handed me it. - The ring of the Heiress of the House.

The Black Oath (White Gold and Obsidian)

An artifact. Rank - unique

+0.75 to pumping speed Dark Magic

+0.75 to pumping speed Agility

Requires admission to the House Coven

?

?

?

?

Requires the Black Dragonrend

Oh mother! The ring had a bunch of goodies, but only two would be available to me! That's not fair! Then again, maybe it was the debuffs, not the benefits.

- Thank you, - I said.

- Wear it on your right middle finger, - granny Druella said, - it's the custom.

I nodded.

- Our gift awaits you in the stable, - grandpa Cygnus said, putting his arm around grandmother Druella's shoulders, - a young Friesian we're sure will make a good friend for you.

- A horse? - I exhaled. - You're giving me a horse?

I liked riding, that's a fact, but I always rode old Wallachia, Druella's grandmother's horse.

- That's right, - they nodded.

- I want to see him, - I got up.

- Not now, - Pollux cooled my ardor, - tomorrow. It's too late now.

I sat down in disappointment.

- We wanted to give you a cloak of invisibility, but we were dissuaded, - said great-grandmother Irma, - so we gave you a cloak of protection, which is tailor-made. Wear it to Potions, and you won't get a drop on you!

Protective robe (cotton, linen, unicorn hair)

Artifact. Rank - rare

Repels spells, liquids, objects

- Thank you, - the fabric was very pleasant to the touch. The relatives had clearly made efforts.

- Time is late, - announced Arcturus, - we'll discuss the rest tomorrow.

And the next day, my face graced the front page of the Daily Prophet.